The Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a 1,500-acre motorsports and entertainment venue, is in Austin, Texas
Infrastructure company ExteNet Systems announced it would provide new 5G cellular and private wireless metwork infrastructure to improve coverage and capacity at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a 1,500-acre motorsports and entertainment venue in Austin, Texas.
As an ongoing partner of COTA, a long-term contract grants ExteNet exclusive access, installation, and operating rights at COTA to provide increased coverage and capacity throughout the expansive venue. As the incumbent services provider, ExteNet will upgrade all existing fiber infrastructure to support the latest networking technologies, upgrading node locations to increase coverage and capacity while expanding the radio network to support the newest licensed 5G bands, as well as the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) to support Private Wireless Networking.
“COTA provides their fans significant connectivity at their racetrack, and our planned improvements will increase the ability to support faster downloads, as well as an increasing number of connected devices on-site,” said Monnie McGaffigan, ExteNet Systems CRO.
The 1,500-acre campus also houses the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, COTA Karting, expansive meeting and hospitality spaces, and an iconic 25-story observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the circuit and downtown Austin.
“Our facility has developed beyond a world-class racetrack into an entertainment powerhouse, with the growing number of visitors and mobile devices on the property requiring an even more powerful network to provide seamless processes and services,” said Mark Pannes, COTA president for strategy and corporate growth.
Earlier this month, ExteNet confirmed it will deploy a private wireless network at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Spurs. The deployment is part of a partnership between ExteNet and Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E).
ExteNet Systems noted that private wireless and 5G will continue to play a significant role in sports and entertainment venues worldwide as interactive in-house experiences require networks to deliver more capacity, bandwidth, and lower latency. ExteNet said its private wireless network transforms venue connectivity and the fan experience by providing on-site experiences extending from Point of Sales (POS) to improved security and beyond.
According to the company, the potential benefits of private wireless to sports and entertainment venues include entry ticketing and parking, digital signage, real-time fan applications such as venue maps, contactless concession stands, and geo-locators, interactive and personalized fan engagement, mobile/POS and cashless transactions, safety, surveillance, critical staff communications, increased video experiences across the venue and real-time data analytics.
